The Phase Ib/II trial, which is sponsored by Clovis, is scheduled to start before the end of the year and is designed to assess the safety and activity of the combination in patients.

"In particular, we are very enthusiastic to explore the potential of this combination in both newly-diagnosed patients as well as those previously treated with TKI therapy,” noted Patrick Mahaffy, Clovis’ president and chief executive.

Rociletinib has already been filed on both sides of the Atlantic for patients with mutant EGFR NSCLC who have been previously treated with an EGFR-targeted therapy, but Clovis will be hoping that the drug offers a benefit when combined with checkpoint inhibitors such as atezolizumab, which would significantly expand its reach.